*** THE ARAB CONQUESTS ***
Version 2
by Aleksei Andrievski
<solmyr@kolumbus.fi>

Welcome to my first scenario ever. It is set in an era that interests me very much, namely the early Middle Ages and the Arabic culture. I am aware that Microprose released a Jihad scenario that portrays the same events, but I daresay that this one is better, especially now that it's in the second version. But you be the judge.

In 632 AD, the Prophet Muhammad died, after spreading his teachings of the One True God in the Arabian peninsula. In the next two years, his successor Caliph Abu Bakr subjugated those tribes that didn't accept Islam. In 634 AD, the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab, became the leader of the faithful. It was he who initiated the spreading of Islam outside Arabia, eventually to cover the civilized world from the Atlantic to India. The fierce Arab warriors, ready to die for their faith, took large territories from one empire, and conquered another one completely. Can you match his feat, or stop his advance?

ARABS

General Notes
The Arabs are recommended for first-time players of this scenario, and those who are not yet very experienced Civ2 players. They have a large army at the start, and can conquer nearby cities quickly. They have a fair number of cities, though most of these are small, except the main cities of Mecca, Medina, and Jidda.

Unique Technologies
	Jihad: This technology allows the Arabs to create Mujahideen for their conquests.
	Isma'ili Sect: The Arabs are currently researching this advance. Once it appears, this radical Muslim sect will construct secret strongholds throughout the land, sending its fanatical Hashishin to serve you as religious assassins.

Special Units
	Mujahideen: Att 5, Def 3, Move 2, HP 1, Fire 1, Cost 50. The fierce desert horsemen feared throughout the world. Only Arabs can build them, and they should be used to attack in great numbers. They can see two squares around.
	Hashishin: Att 8, Def 0, Move 3, HP 1, Fire 1, Cost 80. The sinister Hashishin are religious assassins who slay anyone so much as speaking a wrong word against their religion. They have an awesome host of special abilities: they ignore zones of control, they do not cost any support for Fundamentalism, they see two spaces, and, most importantly, they ignore city walls! Hashishin are not cheap though, and the Arabs must first research Isma'ili Sect before they can build them.

Arab Wonders
	Al-Ka'aba: This mysterious cube-shaped stone is said to have been sent by God. It was used in the old idol-worshipping rituals, but now the Muslims have adopted it as a relic of their faith and the site of the hajj, or pilgrimage. It increases the effect of all temples. (Oracle)

Special considerations
Note that the Arabs do not have the technology required to build settlers. That is because they should be conquering cities, not building new ones. They do have five settlers at the start, allowing them to improve land or build a few new cities, if desired.

BYZANTINES
The Byzantine Empire is a fairly powerful one, with many cities around the Mediterranean. Its army is somewhat depleted after the longtime wars against Persia. This means that the Arabs are almost guaranteed to have some initial success. With careful and skillful strategy, the Byzantines can resist their advance, however, and perhaps even gain back their land.

Unique Technologies
	Byzantine Cavalry: This technology allows the creation of Cataphractoi, a type of heavy cavalry.
	Greek Fire: The Byzantines are currently perfecting ways of creating an extremely flammable substance. Once finished, they will be able to equip ships with it, resulting in Dromonds, which are unrivalled on the seas.

Special Units
	Cataphractoi: Att 4, Def 2, Move 2, HP 1, Fire 1, Cost 40. The heavy cavalry of the Byzantines, perhaps their only defense against the nomad hordes.
	Dromond: Att 3, Def 1, Move 4, HP 1, Fire 1, Cost 50. The Dromond is a trireme equipped with Greek Fire. It has an improved attack, but may be lost in the open sea (if you don't have the Lighthouse). Greek Fire must be researched by the Byzantines before building Dromonds.

Byzantine Wonders
	Pyramids: Built by the ancient Egyptian pharaohs, the Pyramids still stand outside Memphis, acting as a granary in each city.
	Colossus: This ancient Greek statue stands in the harbor of Rhodes, greatly enhancing the town's trade.
	Lighthouse: The greatest lighthouse of the ancient world, it stands in Alexandria. It is also likely to be the first wonder lost to the Arabs.
	Orthodox Church: The Byzantine Empire is the world's premier guardian of the Orthodox Christianity, with the Patriarch of Constantinople being one of the most powerful men in the world. The pious followers will work twice as hard for their church and religion. Thus this wonder greatly adds to the shield production of the city. (King Richard's Crusade)
	Great Market: Constantinople was long a major hub of trade from east to west and from north to south. In its market, merchants from all over the world can be found. This wonder gives you a free embassy with every other civilization. (Marco Polo's Embassy)
	Hagia Sophia: The Church of Holy Wisdom in Constantinople is the major temple of Orthodox Christianity. It acts as a Cathedral in all of your cities. (Michelangelo's Chapel)
	St. Peter's Cathedral: The Church of Peter the Apostle in Rome was likewise a major center of Christianity, first of Orthodox and later of Catholic. It reduces unhappiness in all cities on the same continent by two. (J.S.Bach's Cathedral)

FRANKS
The Franks embody the principle of feudalism. Although in the 7th century King Dagobert managed to unite all Frankish kingdoms under his leadership, for the most part in this time period the Franks were divided into many kingdoms and other domains. Still, they remain powerful in the ways of warfare.

Unique Technologies
	Knighthood: The Franks are currently researching this advance. Once done, it will allow them to outfit their knights with better weapons and heavier armor.

Special Units
	Heavy Knights: Att 5, Def 2, Move 2, HP 2, Fire 1, Cost 60. The improved version of the knights. Few opponents can stand against them. The Franks will need to research Knighthood to build them.

Frankish Wonders
	Merovingian Knighthood: The knight is a basic component of the feudal system, and is was the Franks who first developed these warriors. As the knights' main occupation was warfare, this wonder allows all newly created units to become veteran. (Sun Tzu's War Academy)
	Droit du Seigneur: Another principle of feudalism, emphasizing the right of the hereditary nobility to rule over their lands and the peasants that live on them. This wonder negates all unhappiness in its home city. (Shakespeare's Theatre)

VISIGOTHS
The Visigoths are a remnant of old barbarian tribes that destroyed the Roman Empire. They have been steadily pushed into the Iberian peninsula by the Franks.

Unique Technologies
	Visigoth Cavalry: This technology allows the Visigoths to build their special cavalry units.

Special Units
	Visigoth Cavalry: Att 3, Def 2, Move 2, HP 1, Fire 1, Cost 30. These horsemen are used by the Visigoths. Unfortunately, they aren't as tough as the Frankish Knights, but perhaps you can research better units.

Visigoth Wonders
	Great University: The city of Cordoba was not known for its learning until the Arab era. However, this wonder has been pre-built in order to give the Arabs an incentive to advance here. It increases the city's science by 50%. (Copernicus' Observatory)

PERSIANS
The Persian Empire is an ancient one, dating all the way from the great Achaemenid kings. However, recent wars with the Byzantines have greatly depleted its strength. Most of its army is gone, and many cities are rising in revolt. Can you turn the situation around?

Unique Technologies:
	Persian Cavalry: This technology allows the Persians to create their special cavalry, the Clibanarii.
	Heavy Riders: Elite cavalry known as Pushtighbans serve as the elite guard of the Shah. However, the secret to making more has been lost.

Special Units
	Clibanarii: Att 3, Def 2, Move 2, HP 1, Fire 1, Cost 40. The standard Persian cavalry.
	Pushtighban: Att 4, Def 3, Move 2, HP 1, Fire 1, Cost n/a. These elite horsemen are the personal bodyguards of the Shah. You have only five of them, and no more can be built. Use them wisely...

Persian Wonders
	Hanging Gardens: These wondrous gardens have been built in ancient times in the city of Babylon. Parts of them still remain in Babylon, not far from the Persian capital at Ctesiphon. The Gardens increase the number of happy people throughout the civilization.
	Royal Library: The Persian Empire was known for its learning and knowledge. However, at this time the Library has become obsolete, giving only prestige. (Great Library)

LANGOBARDS
Another remnant of the old barbarian tribes, the Langobards control some cities in Italy, surrounded by Byzantine territories.

Langobard Wonders
	Great Wall: Although they were weak and collapsing, the Langobards demonstrated great resilience and unwillingness to completely disintegrate. Even after the majority of their lands were conquered by the Franks, the Langobard city of Benevento remained a stronghold for several more centuries. Thus, the Great Wall grants them improved defensive capabilites.

BERBERS
The Berber cvilization in this scenario encompasses both the nomadic tribes of the Sahara desert and the Christian kingdoms of Makkura, Alwa, and Axum south of Egypt. The Berbers have few technologies and no wonders, and are best suited for a player who likes a challenge.

OTHER NOTES

* The scenario starts in 634 AD and ends in 750 AD. That means you have 116 turns in which to conquer the world.
* You cannot change governments.
* Scientific research is at 50/10 rate, and each nation is researching some advance that is set up to be discovered around the midpoint of the game.
* If you play the Persians, don't be surprised if some cities go into disorder right at the start. It's all supposed to happen - the Persian Empire was on the verge of collapsing when the Arabs came.

CREDITS
Various graphics (some modified by me) were taken from Microprose's Jihad scenario, Al-Andalus scenario by Jesus Balsinde, Mongols scenario by Harlan Thompson, and the Ancient units collection (I don't know the author). Also thanks to James Ruhland for advice on historical accuracy and refining the Byzantine Empire.

NOTE
Put all .WAV sound files in the SOUND subdirectory.
